Updates From the Zoo's Lion Keepers: CUBS!
Watch the cub cam
August 31
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Celebrate the births!  Adopt a lion. |
Yesterday evening Shera became more restless than in nights past. She moved into the birthing den shortly before 8 p.m. Anticipating that cubs would likely be born overnight, we monitored Shera from our home computers and communicated with each other until the early morning hours.
Our visual of the first cub came around 10:30 p.m. last night. Much to our surprise, within its first hour of life, the cub made its way from the birthing den to the outer den's howdy door—where Shera and her sister, Naba, can visit—so Naba got an early glimpse of her new niece or nephew! A few minutes later, Shera moved the cub back into the birthing den but did not appear agitated by Naba’s presence.
After each birth, Shera was prompt to groom the cub, and it appears that she is nursing the cubs regularly. Although they appear healthy, it’s important to note the possibility that one or more cubs may not survive these first critical days. At this point we feel strongly that it’s important to give Shera the chance to privately bond with her cubs, and allow her to develop maternal behaviors imperative to the cubs' survival. We will continue to diligently monitor Shera with her cubs over the video monitor, limiting our presence around the cubbing dens, but feel cautiously optimistic that the cubs will continue to receive great care from their mother.
This morning Shera kept herself occupied by tending to her cubs, and Naba was given access to go outside with Luke. A short time later Shera began looking for Naba and appeared to be a bit stressed by her absence. Naba came back inside, and Shera promptly settled back down with her cubs. So far, Naba seems content to look over her younger sister from the howdy door.
As for us, we couldn’t be more excited! We’re looking forward to getting web cams up and running for all to see later this week and will continue to keep the updates coming.
